Alice Running Kessler

Our beautiful, kind, amazing mother and grandmother, Alice Julia Running Kessler, 90, of Beulah, left us peacefully to be with her loving Father on Sunday, July 14, 2013, at Sakakawea Medical Center surrounded by her family. Services will be held at 2:30 p.m. CST, Wednesday, July 17, 2013, at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Beulah, with Pastor Kris Nyman and Intern Jesse Kneeland officiating. Burial will follow at 1 p.m. CST, Thursday, July 18, at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery, Columbus, N.D. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. today, July 16, at Barbot-Seibel Funeral Home, Beulah.

Alice Julia (Olson) Running Kessler was born Oct. 11, 1922, a daughter of Ole A. and Helena (Bakkplass) Olson, on the family farm in Thorson Township, Burke County. She graduated from Columbus High School in 1941.

On March 21, 1942, she was united in marriage to Oliver O. Running, of Columbus, in Wolf Point, Mont. Together they lived in Columbus until 1967, when they moved to Hazen. Oliver died March 14, 1980.

Alice was married to Otto Kessler of Beulah on Oct. 14, 1983. Otto passed away June 2, 2000.

During those early years, Alice was a devoted wife and mother of seven children. Mom led a full and active life, enjoying bowling, playing cards, bingo, dancing and socializing with her many friends. Our friends flocked to our house on Saturday evenings to enjoy her baked goods, including bread, donuts and caramel rolls it was her they came to visit, not us!

Mom never met a stranger. She always had a smile on her face and a heart of gold. The biggest joys in her life were her faith, her family, her friends, and her Norwegian heritage. Mom was a member of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Beulah.